The turnover of these exchanges stood Rs 45.34 lakh crore in the same period last fiscal, the commodity markets regulator FMC said on its website.

Barring gold and silver, much of the business was generated from futures trading in crude oil, metals like copper, and agricultural commodities like soya oil.

According to the FMC data, the turnover from bullion fell by 10 per cent to Rs 23.40 lakh crore during the April-July 15 period of the current fiscal from Rs 26.02 lakh crore in the year-ago period.

However, the business from energy commodities like crude oil rose by 35 per cent to Rs 9.56 lakh crore from Rs 7.09 lakh crore, the turnover from metals like copper increased by 24 per cent to Rs 9.23 lakh crore from Rs 7.46 lakh crore in the reviewed period.

As far as farm commodities are concerned, the turnover rose by 28 per cent to Rs 6.08 lakh crore till July 15 of the 2012-13 fiscal from Rs 4.75 lakh crore in the year-ago period.

The FMC said that it has been taking steps to curb high price volatility in farm items. For instance, it has asked exchanges to charge higher deposit money for trading in turmeric, soyabean, mustard seed and soya oil, among others.

Yesterday, FMC Chairman Ramesh Abhishek had said that the regulator is aware of the impact of poor monsoon could have on farm production and prices. Hence, it is keeping a close watch on futures prices of agricultural commodities.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas had recently said the government may ban those farm commodities where there is high volatility and speculation.

At present, there are five national and 16 regional level commodity bourses in the country.